'Absolutely staggering' security breach at RAF base - as activists break in and vandalise aircraft

A security review has been launched after an extraordinary breach at an RAF base in Oxfordshire, which has been condemned as "absolutely staggering".

Pro-Palestinian activists targeted RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft - with Sir Keir Starmer describing their actions as "disgraceful".

Downing Street has now confirmed security is being reviewed across the "whole defence estate" - but stressed the incident did not disrupt any operations.

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Brize Norton is the largest RAF station - with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.

In a video shared online by Palestine Action, a person can be seen approaching an aircraft on a scooter as music is played. Red paint can be seen on the ground.

The organisation - which focuses its campaigns on multinational arms dealers and has previously targeted corporate banks - said it had damaged two military planes at the base, where flights depart on a daily basis for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Aircraft based at Akrotiri include RAF Typhoons, which were used last year in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as Puma helicopters.

The group said two activists "broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes".

Repurposed fire extinguishers were used to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, while further damage was made using crowbars.

"Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene," the statement said.

"Both activists managed to evade security and arrest."

An image purportedly of the aftermath, that has been shared with Sky News, shows the two affected aircraft with red paint splattered on their frames.

There is a fire extinguisher on the ground with the word 'Palestine' written on it as well as a Palestinian flag, a crowbar and a red hat. Splotches of red paint can be seen on the ground.

A second photograph purports to show the back of one of the engines covered in paint.

A source said the vandals had also "punctured" the back of the engine. This has not been confirmed.

The two Voyagers - out of a fleet of 10 currently being used by the RAF - have been impounded while an investigation into the extent of the damage is carried out. The rest of the fleet is still operational.

If the engines have been affected, it would be hugely expensive to fix and would take the aircraft out of service for at least a number of days.

It is an embarrassing failure of security at the sprawling site and raises questions about the defences around all military infrastructure across the UK and overseas.

A Palestine Action spokesman said: "Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets.

"Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.

"By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people."

A senior RAF source said the aircraft have nothing to do with Israel's war in Gaza.

If necessary, the RAF has access to four additional Voyager aircraft to replenish the total number of the operational fleet under a deal with the defence company Airbus.

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On X, the prime minister condemned the "act of vandalism", adding: "Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us."

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed it is "working closely with the police, who are investigating".

A senior RAF source told Sky News: "The claims made by the group who broke into RAF Brize Norton show a complete lack of understanding of how the RAF operates and what these aircraft do.

"The UK is not supporting Israeli operations and these aircraft have not been used in support of Israeli forces in any shape or form."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said it has launched an investigation .

Ben Obese-Jecty, a Tory MP and former Army officer, said the breach was "absolutely staggering".

"Given the current heightened global tensions, the increase in activity and the recent exploitation of the vulnerability of Russian airbases by Ukraine, it is incredible that our busiest RAF base could be compromised," he said.

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